Page 20 of Fated to the Hunters
“No meat pie?” Her mother questioned. “I made them because you love them so much.”
“I thought I’d leave some for the pack first. After all, I can have them whenever I want.”
“Always thinking of the pack first,” her mother swooned, turning her attention to Kurt. “Maximilian mentioned that you’ve shown interest in accompanying him to Duneburry for the next mate meet up.”
“Yes, Luna, that’s right.”
Scarlett read right through the polite words. That was her mother’s way of reminding Kurt that Scarlett was off limits. Maximilian saved all of them from the awkward conversation by walking up and tapping Kurt’s shoulder. “I need your help grabbing some more wood for the bonfire. Unless you’re needed here?”
Her father took his time answering. He didn’t take his eyes off Kurt, who still had his head bowed in submission. “No.”
Kurt spun and followed Maximilian, visibly tense.
Choosing to tamp down her annoyance, she grabbed a drink and found a spot to sit near the bonfire. She sat alone and ate her dinner, trying to fight the feeling of loneliness creeping into her bones. Kurt was loyal to the pack. If he thought her father disapproved of their friendship, he would begin to distance himself. That’s how packs worked, after all. The alpha made the rules, and everyone followed them. The alternative was leaving the pack and its safety. It wasn’t just that, but a pack cared for one another through sickness and health. No one went without food or a roof over their head and it only worked that way because everyone obeyed the rules the alpha set.
The greatest example had been her grandfather. The whole pack had disapproved of the move to Brighton, but they’d flourished because he’d had a vision, and no one was able to question him.
“Mind if I sit with you?”
Scarlett looked up and saw Denise standing before her with her own plate in hand. “Not at all.”
“You looked a little lonely over here. It seems that Kurt is quite busy.”
“Maximilian sent you, didn’t he?”
Denise smiled as if she’d been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. “That doesn’t mean I don’t want to sit with you.”
“That’s very sweet of you.”
“You seemed happy last night.”
Scarlett nodded. “I enjoyed it.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you. I seem to spend a lot of time with Maximilian, but never really got to know you.”
“I don’t blame you. He is the cooler one of us after all.”
Denise let out a heartwarming laugh. “Don’t let him hear that. His ego is already too big for his head.”
“Will you be joining them for the next mate meet up?”
“My mom thinks it’s a waste because you can’t force finding one’s mate. So, she might not let me.”
“I’ve heard of a few who found them. At least, that’s what Maximilian says. Might just be a white lie to be allowed out more often.”
“You think so highly of him,” Denise said with a smile.
Eventually, Paul appeared and swooned Denise away. When it was clear that Kurt wasn’t going to come near her, Scarlett quietly left the gathering. Without stopping to tell anyone, she simply made her way back to the house. It was dark and empty but without turning on any lights she made her way upstairs and collapsed onto the bed.
Calling their number happened without a second thought.
“Scarlett,” the quiet one hummed softly.
The moment she heard his voice, her tears wouldn’t remain at bay any longer. Despite how hard she tried, a sob choked its way out of her.
“Are you hurt?” he asked, his worry making her heart bleed.
“No,” she breathed, afraid someone would hear her.
